crosses your mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crosses your mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a thought or idea that suddenly comes to someone's awareness or consideration. Example: "Whenever I think about my childhood, the memory of that summer vacation always crosses my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"When you're a leader of this country you don't necessarily have the freedom to say everything that crosses your mind.

The Guardian

You are hyper aware of every thought that crosses your mind.

Huffington Post

I'm not asking to be mean, I am a fan of yours but just wonder if that crosses your mind.

Huffington Post

"Obviously it crosses your mind, but literally for a second.

Independent

The last thing that crosses your mind is England.

The Guardian - Film

"I think it crosses your mind," Van Horn said.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's no question that everything crosses your mind," Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

"On Mondays after a loss it crosses your mind, of course," Brunell said.

The Washington Post

What, for instance, crosses your mind when you think of creativity?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Did that cross your mind?

The New York Times

Did we cross your mind?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of spontaneity and suddenness when using "crosses your mind". It's ideal when you want to highlight that a thought wasn't necessarily planned or expected.

Common error

While generally acceptable, excessively using "crosses your mind" in formal academic or business writing might sound too informal. Opt for more direct alternatives like "it is considered" or "it is thought" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crosses your mind" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the spontaneous appearance of a thought or idea in one's consciousness. Ludwig confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crosses your mind" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe a thought that suddenly comes to someone's awareness. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally appropriate, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in academic or business writing, if a more professional tone is needed. Alternatives like "comes to mind" or "occurs to you" can be used depending on the context. The phrase effectively conveys the spontaneous nature of a thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comes to mind

This alternative is a more direct and common way to express that a thought appears.

enters your thoughts

This phrase emphasizes the action of a thought entering one's consciousness.

occurs to you

This option suggests a thought appearing suddenly or unexpectedly.

strikes you

This alternative implies a thought that is particularly noticeable or impactful.

dawns on you

This indicates a realization that gradually becomes clear.

you realize

This is a straightforward way of saying a thought becomes apparent.

you consider

This suggests a more deliberate and thoughtful consideration.

you contemplate

This emphasizes a deeper, more prolonged reflection on a thought.

is on your mind

This implies continuous or frequent thinking about something.

is in your thoughts

This alternative is similar to "is on your mind", indicating presence in one's consciousness.

FAQs

How can I use "crosses your mind" in a sentence?

You can use "crosses your mind" to describe a thought that suddenly occurs to someone, like: "Did it ever "cross your mind" that you might be wrong?"

What are some alternatives to "crosses your mind"?

Some alternatives include "comes to mind", "occurs to you", or "enters your thoughts", depending on the specific context.

Is "crosses your mind" formal or informal?

"Crosses your mind" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What does it mean when something "crosses your mind"?

When something "crosses your mind", it means that a thought, idea, or question suddenly comes to your awareness or consideration.